Fritz hess



Patented Mar. 21, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRITZ HESS, OF LOCLE, SIVITZERLAND.

EMBOSSED PLATE FOR ENAMELED WATCH-DIALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 493,927, dated March 21, 1893.

Application filed June 15, 1892. Serial No 436,804- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRITZ HESS, a citizen of Switzerland, residing at Locle, Switzerland, have invented an Improvement in Enameled Watch-Dials, of which the following is a specification.

Watch dials have heretofore been engraved with various devices and ornaments which render them expensive to produce, and thereafter enamel of various characters and colors has been applied to the surface of the watch face or dial.

The presentinvention relates to a new article of manufacture consisting of a plate of thin sheet metal stamped up and embossed in dies with the desired ornamentation and then the whole surface of the dial is covered with a transparent enamel of any desired color, through which the embossed design on the surface of the sheet metal is visible.

In carrying out the said invention a sheet of brass, copper, or otherornamental metal is stamped with the desired ornamental design in low relief, the metal being countersunk or indented at the back where there are raised portions on the frontas illustrated in the magnified section of a dial shown in the accompanying drawing, and the edge of the dial is preferably turned up to form a rim a. The surface of the dial is now covered with a transparent enamel and the rim a. confines the same so that it forms a uniform and lustrous dial having a finished and artistic appearance, and the expense of the same is very much reduced from the engraved dials. The divisions and numbers may be stamped up in the sheet metal or they may be put on by hand, preferably after one coat of enamel has been applied to the metal and before the second coat of such enamel.

I claim as my invention- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a watch dial of thin sheet metal stamped up with an ornamental surface and covered with a transparent enamel, through which the ornamentation is visible substantially as specified.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a watch dial of thin sheet metal stamped up with an ornamental surface and having an upwardlyprojecting rim, and covered with a transparent enamel substantially as specified.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a watch dial of thin sheet metal stamped up with an ornamental surface and covered with a transparent enamel and having the divisions and figures upon the coating of enamel, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRITZ HESS.

Witnesses:

LOUIS GUYE, E. I'IINCHY. 

